ORGANISERS of Cobham’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations say they have been left with a debt of £700 after they were told Elmbridge Borough Council would not be giving them any financial support – despite being a partner of the event.

Cobham’s jubilee committee rearranged the event to coincide with the council’s opening of the newly named Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) playing field in Anyards Road, but has been told it will not receive any funding.

Organisers say they may have to start a fundraising campaign to pay off the £700 debt.

The committee, made up of representatives from Cobham Chamber of Commerce, Cob-ham and Downside Residents’ Association, St Andrew’s Church, and Cobham Conser-vation & Heritage Trust, was joined by Elmbridge Borough Council following the announcement that the Anyards Road recreation ground would be renamed.

The event cost the community around £4,500 to put on, with only £3,800 being raised by the committee so far.

Despite a decision being made by the council on May 17, the organisers were not told their bid had been unsuccessful until last Friday.

Elizabeth Kennedy, chairman of the jubilee committee, was disappointed the council had advertised the event as its own, but had not given it any financial backing.

She said: “I do think it is sad that the major event we ran was not given any extra funding for the things we did.

“It all had to come from the community.”

The committee paid for a large, external television screen, a hog roast, a Pimm’s tent and food items to sell, without any profit margins.

Just over £400 was raised by Waitrose’s green disc charity collection and Cobham-based Cargill food producers donated £500. A donation of £100 was also given by a resident.

Cobham Chamber of Commerce provided a bank account and underwrote the event to cover the purchase of food and drink.

Alistair Mann, chairman of Cobham Chamber of Com-merce, said: “We do feel disappointed that they take three weeks to simply announce a funding support decision.

“The Chamber of Commerce is now out of pocket by £1,700 simply because we supported the event that the borough council wanted to put on.

“At the end of the day, we will have to recoup these costs.

“We might have to simply run a Diamond Jubilee fundraising campaign throughout the village to raise the money.”

Mr Mann added the assistance given by two Elmbridge Borough Council officers on the jubilee committee had been very supportive.

David Tipping, vice-chair of Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust, said: “I am not sure the reason why it was rejected. I have not seen anything saying why. I think we should know.”

A spokesman for Elmbridge Borough Council said: “We could not support all applications received. Forty-seven applications were received and the fund was three times oversubscribed. As a result the panel focused on a points criteria system, looking at sustainability and legacy.

“The council supported 24 organisations in the first round, but I appreciate that unsuccessful applicants are going to be disappointed.”